Category: History

White Lion

Forty years ago every second hand bookshop was stuffed with copies of Osbert Sitwell’s four volume autobiography; handsome, salmon hardbacks with sun-faded spines published by Macmillan. They were not expensive then, nor are they now.

Wrest in Peace

Wrest Park belonged to the de Grey family until it was sold in 1917. They were made Earls of Kent in the reign of Edward IV and then the 12th Earl was created Duke of Kent in 1710. Confusingly he was also Lord Lucas. However, there was no heir to the Dukedom and Wrest was… Continue reading Wrest in Peace

Ham-Class

Ninety-three Ham-class minesweepers were launched between 1954 and 1959 and they cost a bob or two.

Look at Glaxo

There are two ways of looking at GSK (Glaxo Smith Kline) shares. If you are a glass-half-empty type you lament that the price has been going sideways between £12 and £16 for the last ten years. On the other hand …

Henry Percy-Pole

Outside Masterpiece 2018 yesterday I met Henry M Percy-Pole whose exceptional life story and achievements I will relate to you (in his own words) today. Of course younger sons carry a bit of a chip and like to feel that they are nearly as good as their brothers but Henry’s treatment as an eldest son… Continue reading Henry Percy-Pole

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Categorised as History

Tapestry & Tide

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: every time I go on a familiar walk I see something new. Friday should have been an exception as I was with two friends and the chat level was dangerously high, as is the case when W is around.

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Categorised as History

145 Hammersmith Road

I often walk past this building on the corner of Hammersmith Road and Edith Road and thought it very shabby. Now it’s had a lick of paint and now I know its story, thanks to this website and Peter Bird.

Thames Talk

Yesterday I walked a short stretch (4 miles) of the Thames Path for the first time. I took the tube to Canary Wharf and felt as if I’d landed in a N American city.

Match Point

The EU Withdrawal Bill is proving a contentious piece of legislation. The Peers are flexing their pecs, making amendments to give the Commons a greater say on the outcome of the negotiations with the EU. The Bill shuttles between the two Chambers in a process known as Parliamentary ping-pong.

Tunbridge Wells

Last year this mural was installed on Platform 2 at Tunbridge Wells station. The jovial fellow in yellow leaping in 1606 is Lord North.